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Frenectomy is a surgical procedure to remove the connective tissue called the frenum from the surface or the bottom of the mouth. It is performed when the binding tissue under our tongue or lips is tight and short. This prevents the tongue and the lips from opening completely and properly. This results in speech, eating, or dental problems and is usually found in infants.

Who can perform a frenectomy?

Frenectomy is a simple procedure that could be performed by even your doctor or any dentist but in special cases, it might be performed by an oral surgeon or an ENT specialist. It takes about 15 minutes to perform the surgery and the recovery takes almost 2 weeks.

How is a frenectomy conducted?

Depending on the case, frenectomy can be done with or without anesthesia. It can be either performed at the doctor’s office, dental clinic or at a hospital.

– Firstly, the area around the connective tissue that is to be removed is numbed with anesthesia.

– Then the surgeon will make a small cut on the connecting tissue to free up the tongue. A laser or a surgical scalpel is used for this.

– At the end, a few stitches will be placed in your mouth to help you heal.

– After the anesthesia’s effect fades, you will immediately notice the result by being able to freely twist and turn your tongue.

Why is frenectomy needed?

The tongue is the most important muscle for speech and swallowing. But, having a short and tight frenum can make it very difficult to swallow. Especially, newborn babies may struggle the most while feeding, which will make it difficult for them to gain weight, and eventually the babies will end up getting malnourished.

Toddlers may experience difficulty in speaking because they would not be able to extend their tongue. Here, frenectomy serves to be the most suitable and simplest treatment for the condition.

To know more, you can consult a dental doctor or visit a dental hospital in Hyderabad.

What are the benefits of frenectomy?

Frenectomy is a quick procedure.
The recovery from the surgery is fast.
Frenectomy helps in reducing the pain from gum recession.
It improves the bite function.
Cures speech issues in toddlers.
Increases appetite by freeing the tight tongue and helps in swallowing.
Corrects problems with eating and nursing in infants.

What are the complications like?

There are only rare cases where one may experience side effects after the surgery and those are:

Bleeding from the site that has been cut or removed
Infection
Nerve damage to the tongue and mouth
Swelling
Pain
Side effects of anesthesia

Conclusion

Frenectomy is the procedure through which the binding tissue under our tongue or lips is removed. A short tongue makes it difficult to swallow and causes speech problems in children. The surgery can be performed by a dentist or oral surgeon in 15 minutes. The procedure only involves a cut on the binding issue and a stitch to let it heal. The result is immediate and it cures speech and appetite problems. However simple, the surgery involves risks like swelling, bleeding, pain, and nerve damage in rare cases.

Request an appointment at Apollo Dental, Hyderabad. Call 18001020288 to book an appointment.

Is frenectomy painful?

Frenectomy is a simple and quick surgery, just a slit on the connecting tissue, minimal bleeding, and it’s done. It may cause a little discomfort but it is nearly painless.

What are the signs that my child needs a frenectomy?

In infants, if there is difficulty in latching the tongue onto the breast while feeding or if they are gasping for more air, this is a sign of tongue-tie which could be removed through frenectomy.

Can my family doctor perform frenectomy?

Frenectomy is a simple procedure and can be definitely performed by a doctor but since it is an oral affair, a dentist or an oral surgeon should perform it.